Language Development Component: Full Day Kindergarten Program 1991-92. Final Evaluation Report. Elementary and Secondary Education Act--Chapter 2.

Lore, Rosemary

The purpose of the 1991-92 Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools Full Day Kindergarten program was to improve the level of achievement of first-grade pupils by providing an additional half-day of kindergarten experience for 952 pupils in selected schools. This extra time allowed the students to participate in activities that were designed to enhance their growth and achievement; to give instruction in performing and creative arts, humanities, and ethics; to provide activities in physical fitness and health; and to give pupils the experience of participating in community service projects. One specific program objective was to have at least 50 percent of the pupils who attended the program demonstrate an awareness of early concepts about print by completing at least 12 of 17 items on the Balloons test (a concepts test about print assessment) at least 80 percent of the time. This objective was achieved by 676 of the 775 pupils who met the attendance criterion, for a success rate of 88 percent. Six appendixes provide: (1) a sample pupil attendance card; (2) a homeroom absence total report; (3) a 1991-92 pupil roster; (4) a sample pupil data sheet; (5) a scoring sheet for the Balloons test; and (6) an orientation inservice evaluation form for teachers. (MDM)